But he announced following a meeting with developers and council chiefs The Barge can stay.

Campaigner Laura Kent with owner Derrick Howard

Derrick said: "It is absolutely fantastic news. People have pulled together. The mistake, if there was one, was they had not recognised the overwhelming support there is and people would win out.

“The Barge has left a lasting impression with thousands of people. It holds a special place in people’s hearts. It was not just customers who felt it was not right. People felt strong enough, wrong should never win.”

Derrick added: “We have never opposed the cinema complex and the council are not the villains in this. They are doing their best and I could not have done it on my own, without them.”

He added: “It is all down to the support we had. It is not going to be plain sailing and I have to keep silent.

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Alan Burley said: "I never really understood why it could not stay. It is good news. Some public petitions are not listened to. I am glad this one has."

Another visitor said: "I just dropped in for one final pint this afternoon thinking that was the end. But they said it is staying. I have been coming here since I was a student . It is wonderful news."

Another regular, who asked not to be named, was relieved by the decision.

He said: "That's great. It has been here a long time. It has a loyal customer base. It adds to the community being here. It is the only place I know that does not have big screens blasting out sport and that prompts conversation at the bar."

CGI pictures of how the £20 million Freshney Place development will look

Councillor Peter Wheatley, North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We’ve held very productive talks with both the owner of the Barge and the cinema complex developers to explore a number of options.

"From these talks, I'm hopeful we can find a solution to ensure we not only look to the future with the development of the cinema and restaurant project, but also maintain our links to the past by securing a sustainable future for the Barge and its users.

"When we originally served notice, we said all along that we’d work with Mr Howard to look at alternatives for the future of the business and that's exactly what we've done in getting to this point.

"I'm very pleased we've continued to make progress on this and now everyone involved is now going to go away to work up more details about how to take things forward."